Andrew Luck[1] is playing on a level that few rookies can ever even imagine reaching. He has the Indianapolis Colts[2] at an impressive record of 6-3 and on the verge of reaching the playoffs.

How?

This was supposed to be a rebuilding effort. A team still at least a year away from any kind of success. We knew that Luck was amazing from his time at Stanford, but did anyone expect this much this quickly?

Ignore for a second the insanely difficult situation that Luck encountered in Indy. The way he had to replace a beloved legend in Peyton Manning[3] and begin to establish his own legacy within an organization that just parted ways with one of the greatest QBs of all time.

He is making the Colts offense thrive despite the lack of true offensive balance traditionally provided by a rushing game. Sure, Vick Ballard has been acceptable, but he is still Vick Ballard.

This is an offense that lives and dies on the arm of Luck, and he has not disappointed. He knows how to stand tall in the pocket, sense pressure and avoid it. He can make any throw, over the middle of the field or deep down the sidelines.

However, many young QBs come into the league with rocket arms and solid accuracy. What has separated Luck so far is his ability to step up in critical situations and deliver.

Andrew Luck now has 4 game-winning drives in 4th qtr/OT.. the other rookie starting QBs (Tannehill, Wilson, RG3, Weeden) have 4 total

He is improving as games wear on and as the season wears on. Luck has completed at least 62 percent of his passes in each of the Colts’ last three games. He has just two interceptions over the last four weeks and has even found the end zone five times this season via rushing touchdowns.

There is seemingly nothing that Luck cannot do. He has continued the chemistry he built with tight end CobyFleener at Stanford and re-invigorated the career of WR Reggie Wayne.

The Colts are playing an exciting brand of offensive football because Luck looks the part of a veteran QB that has been studying the intricacies of NFL[6] defenses for years.

Sure, a Week 10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars[7] does not seem that impressive, but keep in mind that Indy lost to Jacksonville in Week 3.

On that September day, Luck completed just 47.8 percent of his passes. He does not repeat mistakes and treats every game as a learning experience.

This is not a case of sensationalizing his play and making rash judgments about the type of player we are all watching on the football field. Rather, this is a special quarterback with an amazing career in front of him.